Large Meat Consumption Leads to Early Puberty

New research suggests that too much animal protein intake results in premature puberty.

Recent research conducted at Fulda University of Applied Sciences in Germany reports that five to six year olds who eat large amounts of meat experience a premature growth spurt. The study, which was published in the Journal of Nutrition, states that children who consume more meat and dairy entered puberty nearly a year earlier than those with a smaller intake of meat. Early puberty can lead to a greater risk of developing certain cancers, specifically hormone-related cancers, as well as prostate and breast cancer, heart disease, and psychological disorders. In 2010, Pediatrics published a study suggesting that young girls who consumed large amounts of animal products were more likely to begin menstruating by age 12 than those who ate minimal amounts of animal products.